Hey guys! I'm sorry I haven't updated in a long time but I completely lost my muse on this one. Thanks for the feedback on this story as well as my other stories. It's nice to know that so many of you are still reading this thing even though there have been several long gaps in between chapters. I really had fun writing this and still maintain that we need more MeLty fics! That being said, I hope you like this chapter as it is the last one. I have four different versions of it but I liked this one the most. It's quite fluffy, I fear, but I really wanted to have a sweet ending and since so many of you asked me this and went though the trouble of sending pm's – here you go! I truly do hope that you like it.
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CHAPTER 20 – A New Family
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"I just have one question Montana," Danny stated as he lifted yet another heavy box of god knows what. "How can one person possibly have accumulated this much stuff into that tiny box you call an apartment?"
"Strategic placement," Lindsay retorted with a smile and pushed some of the boxes further into her car.
"Then how will it work once you cram in this stuff in a place already filled with Mac's?" Danny said quirking an eyebrow.
"We agreed to get rid of some stuff."
"Oh yeah? How did that conversation go?"
Lindsay chuckled, knowing exactly where Danny's mind was at the moment. Danny was convinced Mac would never give up anything because 'you never know when you might need it'.
"It took about fifteen minutes. We talked, we planned and we came to a conclusion."
"You're telling me it was all smooth sailing?"
"No arguments. Not every relationship is as dramatic as yours," Lindsay said smirking.
"Hey! I should be insulted by that…"
"But you're not?"
Lindsay couldn't make out what Danny muttered in response and just laughed at his antics. This was their thing: they bickered like pre-schoolers, always making sure to keep it on the friendly side and somewhat light-hearted.
"What did Danny do this time?" Mac asked as he walked up to the two and shoved another box into the car.
"Why do you always assume it's me?" Danny asked waiting for an answer that never came.
"I'm assuming your question was rhetorical," Mac smirked.
"Yeah, yeah… I'm not staying here to be verbally abused by the two of you. Since the minute you guys hooked up it has only gotten worse," he retorted, shaking his head derisively and turned around. Lindsay's eyes followed Danny's retreating form as he began making his way back inside the building.
"Maybe you are having a bad influence on me…" she pondered out loud.
"As long as I am having an influence on you, I'm happy. Though I'll argue that it is not bad, at least not from where I'm standing."
"You've certainly made me more violent, because were you not injured, I might elbow you straight in the ribs," Lindsay joked and instead gave him a peck on the cheek.
She glanced at the side of the box Mac had just brought down and frowned when she saw it was labelled 'kitchen - plates'.
"I told you not to carry the heavier ones. Your elbow isn't healed yet," she said sternly with a determined look on her face and proceeded to pick up a box off the ground.
"I'm fine," Mac replied defending. Lindsay lifted the box and met his eyes once more. She cocked her head to the side ever so slightly and quirked an eyebrow. "Well, I'm almost fine…"
"…which means you are not supposed to be overdoing it."
"I can pick up a box and carry it downstairs," Mac retaliated.
"You can pick up a marked 'blankets' or 'towels' or 'fluffy pillows' and haul it down, yes. Just please don't take on too much and overextend yourself. OK?"
Mac knew Lindsay was right and he also knew that if he didn't comply now, she would keep on worrying about him and probably sooner than later take action.
"Alright," he said and kissed the top of her head.
"Thank you."
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"OK, so this was the last one," Flack said, placing a worn cardboard box next to Mac's front door.
"So, we're gonna let you get settled in and hopefully you'll find your way out of this mess by Monday," Hawkes added as his gaze travelled over the heaps of unpacked stuff.
"We will," claimed Lindsay. "Thanks for all the help guys."
"No problem. See you on Monday!"
"Yeah, bye!"
Before the door had even slammed shut, Lindsay was already rummaging through her next box. In only half an hour, a considerable number of cardboard and bubble wrap had disappeared, replaced by the wonderful qualities of open space. She didn't hear the door open and Mac come in. The water running from the tap was buzzing in her ears as she cleaned a vase for a bouquet of carnations lying on the table next to her. Mac watched her from the kitchen doorway, studying her movement. She seemed so domesticated and was even humming softly. That's when it him – she would be here every day from this day onward. This was their home now. Mac smiled and continued to look at her. Lindsay reached for the towel and began to dry off the vase. Mac pondered how easily his occasional place to eat and sleep had transformed into a real home. He thought back to when he had first acknowledged his feelings for her, how they had confided in each other: Lindsay about her mother, he about Claire, how the seemingly innocent friendly meals had turned into something else. The first time he had kissed her was one of the clearest memories imprinted into his mind. Mac's smile grew wider and he took a few long strides across the kitchen floor and wrapped his hands around Lindsay.
"I'm so glad you're here, Linds," he whispered, brushing his lips against her ear. She leaned into Mac, pressing her back against his chest. He knew she was smiling and felt contentment.
"So where did you get the flowers?" he asked curiously.
"Mr. Ferguson gave them to me. Said they were for 'congratulations, good luck and so long'," Lindsay replied, smiling fondly at the memory of the older man. "The only person living in that building that I'll actually miss."
"Well, as much I think of him as a man, I prefer you living here," Mac muttered into her hair.
"I like this better too," Lindsay laughed. "Especially after we get the rest of those boxes cleared out…"
Before Lindsay could further develop her battle plan against the messiness Mac drew her mouth to his hungrily, making her completely forget about the outside world.
"The mess isn't exactly the number one thing on my mind right now…" he told her as he pressed her against the counter.
Grabbing the collar or his dress shirt, Lindsay pulled him to their bedroom.
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A couple of weeks after moving in together, Lindsay had gone to visit her folks in Montana. Mac had noticed that something was a little off with her. He couldn't place his finger on it no matter how much he tried, but he suspected she was just worried about her mom. Her cancer had gone into remission some time ago and he knew Lindsay was utterly relieved, but nevertheless scared of it returning.
Sitting in his office chair he continued to entertain new theories. He had asked her a dozen times if everything was ok, but she had merely shrugged him off. It didn't even seem like she was hiding something. Maybe she missed her family. In that case, this trip should do her good.
Of course, there as the possibility that he was putting way too much thought into this and in the process had made a mountain out of a molehill.
He did have a lot time to think now that she was out of town. It was only for six days, but the apartment was awfully quiet without her. Had Mac been able, he would have gone with her, but alas, people seemed to be dropping dead like there was no tomorrow, if you'll pardon the pun. At least she'd be coming home this evening and hopefully completely carefree.
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Lindsay was leaning against a wall, idly looking around her surroundings. She still had quite a bit of time before her flight took off and there was not much to do. She had flipped through the day's paper and the most interesting story to be found was in fact an advert for different kinds of cooking gadgets. She thought about buying her mom a corn zipper for her birthday, who was a firm believer in the power of the corn. Some say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but Lindsay still remembered when her mom had said that while it may be true, paired up with a corn cob the doctors would practically run away.
Smiling at the memory, she stared at the boarding gate. It was very, very early in the morning and almost everyone at the terminal was sleepy. Not that was a lot of people. It was rather quiet to tell you the truth. A lot of the seats were vacant, but she didn't feel like sitting. All she wanted to do was to go home to New York. Yes, it was her home now. Lindsay had told her parents and sister about her new living arrangements already when the decision had been made weeks ago. Now they were just very eager to meet the man who had stolen her heart. She had assured them that in time they would, but at the moment things were kind of hectic.
Lindsay studied an older couple sitting on a bench not too far from where she was situated. They seemed so happy, laughing together. If only more people could end up like they had. A few kids were running around playing tag but mostly everyone just sat or stood quietly, staring into the distance. Airports were boring and always held that feeling of anticipation and often nervousness.
When the announcement for her flight came, she picked up her suitcase in a hurry. 'Finally,' she thought and made her way to the gate.
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Mac walked up to his desk and noticed a new piece of paper lying on top of all the other ones. Picking it up, it came clear to him that it was a shopping list written in Lindsay's handwriting. He wondered how it had gotten there; she wasn't due back in hours.
He frowned and at the same time his door creaked open and Lindsay's smiling face appeared out of nowhere.
"You're back already?" he asked happily, meeting her half-way across the room, kissing her lightly on the lips.
"Took an earlier flight home."
"I'm glad you're back. Everything went fine?"
"Better than fine," Lindsay smiled.
Everything seemed to be back to normal Mac thought. Lindsay was back to her bubbly self.
"Did you get a chance to look at the list?" she enquired eagerly.
"You just got back and we need to get something new already?" he teased her.
"Just read it, will you?"
Mac shrugged and took a seat behind his desk. Lindsay imitated his movements and sat down as well.
"…oranges, carrots, milk…" Mac mumbled as he read through the shopping list. "sugar, a blue rattler, shampoo–" He stopped abruptly. "Wait… Why do we need a blue rattle?" he asked dumbfounded.
Lindsay pulled a pink one out of her pocket and held it up before him. "Because I already bought this one and I don't know which one we'll need," she beamed.
Mac reached for the rattle and taking it in his hand tried to organize the thoughts swirling in his mind. "Are you implying what I think you are?" he asked cautiously, meeting her eyes and holding them steadily.
Lindsay nodded and Mac's tiny grin turned into a full-blown smile. He strode around the table, gathering Lindsay in his arms, kissing her. She erupted into laughter, you know, the happy, joyful kind that only comes about when something too good to be put into words happens.
"When did you find out?" Mac asked, and sat on the edge of his desk with Lindsay next to him.
"Yesterday," she grinned. "I've been feeling a little weird lately, but I didn't make anything of it. I thought it was some sort of a flu bug getting ready to strike. Mom figured it out in no time and I took a test just to make sure. I wanted to tell you in person so I flew home the first chance I got."
She took the rattle and began fiddling with it, clearly deep in thought. She took Mac's hand and gently placed it on top of her abdomen. Lindsay knew there was nothing physical to feel yet, but it wouldn't be long now. She rested her head against Mac's shoulder and he drew her in for a hug. The now ever-present smile grew wider on both of their faces. "We're going to be parents," Mac whispered.
"We're going to have a family."
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THE END
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Well, that's it folks! It took almost a year and finally it's finished. I want to thank all of my readers, an especial thank you for those of you who took the time to review (you have no idea how happy your comments made me) and to dark rolling sea, for being my beta and always having great tips. I would never had written this if it wasn't for all of you!
Thank you.
P.S. If you're interested in a sequel, drop me a word. Summer's coming and I'll have quite a bit of free-time on my hands then. As always, I'm more than happy to hear your suggestions. I like to write about stuff that you'll really, really want to read about. :)